We have been discussing the 1st amendment in ROGATE, and I am still wondering about the right to free speech. Exactly how far does it go? Obviously we have the right to express ourself, but to what extent? Also, how would the other rights be affected?
According to http://www.freedomforum.org/packages/first/curricula/educationforfreedom/supportpages/L04-LimitsFreedomSpeech.htm, we have the right to say anything that does not create a dangerous situation, incites violence, is not truthful, or is obscene. This makes sense, and these restrictions are better than getting rid of free speech all together.
What would happen if we did not have the right to free speech? Would we still have the rights of petition, assembly, religion, and press? Probably not, because these rights depend on each other. If we did not have the right to express ourselves freely through speech, we would probably not be able to freely publish our thoughts. If we could not protest through speech, we proably wouldn't be able to protest through petition or assembly.
In conclusion, even thought the right of free speech has very few restrictions, we are not allowed to go around saying whatever we want. We are not allowed to take advantage of our right and use it to harm others or cause violence. Finally, the other 1st amendment rights would be affected or not exist at all if the right of free speech did not exist.
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